Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 5/2020 | Umweltbundesamt

30 years of unified Germany: a plus for the environment too

The Brocken peak in the Harz, once used for espionage purposes, now lies in the Harz National Park. Source: ohenze / Fotolia.com

October 3 marked the 30th anniversary of German reunification. The German Environment Agency concludes that a lot of positive things have happened in environmental protection since then. German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: „We can be justly proud of what the new federal states have achieved in environmental protection since 1990. Life has returned to many rivers that used to be ecologically dead. The air, which was acrid in some regions 30 years ago, is now almost everywhere below current pollution limits again“

Especially in the industrial area around Leipzig/Halle/Weißenfels/Bitterfeld, extremely high concentrations of sulphur dioxide were measured in the 1980s. With values of over 400 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³) on an annual average, pollution here was about four times higher than in the West German Ruhr area. The highest values today are around 10 µg/m³ and around the year 2000 the concentrations in eastern and western German industrial areas ceased to differ.

Before 1990, East German rivers were among the most heavily polluted watercourses in Europe - foam mountains at dams and rivers coloured by chemicals were the rule rather than the exception. Today, the water quality of many rivers has visibly and measurably improved. For example, pollution with heavy metals such as mercury and persistent organic chemicals has fallen by more than 95 percent in many major eastern German rivers since the early 1990s.

And yet there is much to be done – in the East and the West. German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: „After the transition to a market economy and democracy during reunification, we are now faced once again with demanding processes of change. We must make our economy fit for the future in order to mitigate climate and environmental change to the greatest extent possible and keep it manageable. The key words are energy transition, mobility transition, more sustainable cities, sustainable agriculture and circular economy.“

Environmentally friendly living: what matters

Food, housing, mobility, financial investments, clothing, electronics and computers – what are the big factors that can help us to live in a climate-friendly and resource-saving manner? read more (in German)

Interactive environmental atlas launched on the subject of reactive nitrogen

Nitrogen, in its respective compounds, has a variety of effects on humans and the environment: Nitrous oxide can damage the climate, nitrogen dioxide is harmful to health, and too much nitrate endangers groundwater. Too much nitrogen is being released into the environment due to human activities. How can we reduce excess nitrogen? The German Environment Agency’s multimedia Environmental Atlas (in German) deals with these topics. read more (in German)

Face masks do not result in increased inhalation of CO2

Face masks, such as everyday or surgical masks, make an important contribution to reducing the spread of COVID-19. The fear that carbon dioxide (CO2) would accumulate under the mask and lead to inhalation of harmful concentrations is unfounded. read more (in German)

German Environment Agency conducts exhaust gas tests with remote sensing

As part of a project run by the German Environment Agency, the second campaign started in Frankfurt (Germany) in August to measure CO2 and pollutant emissions from passing motor vehicles using remote sensing. The method allows this to be done without direct contact with the vehicle, as the composition of the exhaust gases is determined from a few metres away using an IR/UV light source, e.g. a laser. read more (in German)

The switch to climate-friendly refrigerants must pick up speed

According to an EU regulation, climate-damaging fluorinated greenhouse gases used in private air conditioning units or in the retail trade, among other things, must be largely replaced by alternatives by 2030. A study commissioned by the German Environment Agency shows that the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Germany does not sufficiently implement the requirements. Research and technical developments are urgently needed. read more (in German)

What does the corona crisis mean for environmental policy?

The corona crisis calls much of our established practice into question. The economy is under pressure and people are changing their habits, for example in regard to nutrition and mobility. What does this mean for the future of environmental policy? A specially established "Corona Task Force" of the German Environment Agency has drawn up initial discussion papers on this subject. read more (in German)

Climate change is affecting the lives of penguins in Antarctica

Results from a long-term study commissioned by the German Environment Agency illustrate the influence of climate change on penguins and other seabirds in Antarctica: Rising temperatures and higher rainfall mean that species that are highly dependent on ice are retreating further south, with species from warmer areas taking their place. read more (in German)

Food retail standards put pressure on the environment

Flawless apples, straight carrots, minimum sizes and fresh green leaves on kohlrabi: many food retail standards go beyond legal requirements. This results in the use of unnecessary fertilisers and pesticides and the disposal of products that do not meet the requirements. The German Environment Agency commissioned a study of the impact of the standards on the environment. read more (in German)

Systematic climate protection in businesses

In light of the advancing climate crisis, many companies wish to become climate-neutral in the foreseeable future. Systematic climate management is of central importance if measures and initiatives are to be credible and make an effective contribution to climate protection. A recent report by the German Environment Agency makes concrete proposals regarding this issue. read more (in German)

Pharmacies can contribute to reducing the number of pharmaceuticals in the environment

Pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment more and more often. However, the subject of "pharmaceuticals in the environment" is rarely addressed in pharmacy study programmes and further training courses. A report by the German Environment Agency offers suggestions on how the topic can be incorporated into education both didactically and in terms of content. In addition, concepts for a multimedia learning platform and for customer information in pharmacies have been developed. read more (in German)

The proportion of reusable packaging for beverages continues to fall

In 2018, the percentage of beverages filled in reusable packaging was only 41.2 percent. This is one percentage point less than in 2017. Even canned beer is being consumed more again. The downward trend of recent years therefore continues. This is the conclusion drawn by a current assessment commissioned by the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

Make way for teaching materials on land consumption for schools

How much land do I need, why is more and more land being built on and what are the consequences of land consumption for the environment? These are just some of the questions covered in this educational brochure (in German). Students can use the brochure to identify the problems of land use and landscape fragmentation, and teachers are given suggestions for teaching materials. read more (in German)

GSAapp provides information for emergency services in case of chemical accidents

The Hazardous Substances Rapid Information System (Gefahrstoffschnellauskunft – GSA) supports rescue services in the event of accidents involving chemicals with reliable information on hazardous substances, emergency measures and first aid instructions. In the GSAapp for smartphones, this information is also available offline at any time. The app has been enhanced with new functions and is available for free download for iPhone and Android. read more (in German)

Climate neutral for sustainable consumption in municipalities and rural districts

The promotion of sustainable consumption is often not included in municipal climate protection concepts, while initiatives for sustainable consumption rarely aim at climate neutrality. A new German Environment Agency brochure therefore uses municipal best-practice examples to show how the numerous synergies between the two environmental policy fields can be leveraged. read more (in German)

Traffic experiment "Car-free Friedrichstraße" started in Berlin

As part of the model project "Car-free Friedrichstraße" in Berlin-Mitte, Friedrichstraße has been closed to cars between "Französische Straße" and "Leipziger Straße" since the end of August. The street space will initially be available until the end of January 2021 as a promenade with bicycle lane. The German Environment Agency welcomes the traffic experiment, which is entirely in keeping with the German Environment Agency's vision of "Tomorrow’s Cities". read more (in German)

Municipalities can increase resource efficiency

Municipalities have a high potential for resource-efficient action: municipal actors in economic development, specialist offices and infrastructure service providers for energy, water and waste can contribute to increasing resource efficiency. A service centre could be established to support the municipalities in this respect. This is shown in the "KommRess" project commissioned by the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

Digital and sustainable services in the Baltic Sea Region

Digitalisation and ecological design are creating new opportunities for environmental and resource protection: for example, digital service offers already help to avoid food waste or extend the service life of electrical appliances. The EU Interreg project EcoDesign Circle 4.0 coordinated by the German Environment Agency promotes these services in six countries bordering the Baltic Sea. read more (in German)

Routes to more onshore wind energy areas

A brief expert report commissioned by the German Environment Agency outlines how the provision of land for wind turbines can be made more climate-friendly and legally secure. For example, the federal government could use quantity targets to direct the provision of land towards the climate-friendly expansion of wind energy. The provision of land at local level could also be simplified and strengthened. read more (in German)

Recyclability of packaging: new minimum standard

Manufacturers of certain types of packaging are required to participate in a “dual system” of waste collection, to ensure that waste packaging is collected, sorted and recycled. Since 2019, the fees have been calculated based on how easily the packaging can be recycled. The minimum standard on how to determine recyclability, further developed in 2020, has now been published. read more (in German)

New EU regulation: reuse of water in agriculture

On 26.06.2020, the regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on minimum requirements for water reuse – the EU Water Reuse Regulation – came into force. It will apply from 26.06.2023 in the Member States of the European Union (EU) and therefore also in Germany. read more (in German)

Monitoring list for chemicals in waters updated

The EU Commission has adjusted the monitoring list for the EU Water Framework Directive for the second time since 2015. This list includes chemicals that are difficult to control or are to be monitored more closely. EU Member States must measure them in waters at representative sampling points. read more (in German)

Proposals for environmentally friendly and resources conserving mining

Mining is currently a hot topic in Germany: For one, the phase-out of lignite mining, which has already been initiated, is increasingly creating new challenges, especially in terms of coping with the consequences. Secondly, international consortia are exploring promising deposits. The German Environment Agency therefore recommends further development of mining law – from an environmental protection perspective. read more (in German)

Dr Torsten Bischoff, Head of Central Office Division, has died

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we share the news of the sudden and unexpected death of our Head of Central Office Division, Dr Torsten Bischoff, on 7 September 2020. Dr Bischoff headed the Central Office Division with great commitment and success from 1 April 2020. His death leaves a great human and professional void at the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

UBA stands for family-friendly work

On 2 September 2020 the German Environment Agency signed the updated cooperation agreement of the Dessau-Roßlau employer initiative “Familienbewusstes Arbeiten” (“Family-Conscious Work”). Two new members have joined the agreement signed in 2014 by nine companies and institutions. The German Environment Agency is a founding member. read more (in German)

Organising sustainable events

The Federal Administration organises a large number of meetings, conferences and similar events. The "Guidelines for the sustainable organisation of events" published by the Federal Environment Ministry and the German Environment Agency provide recommendations and practical advice on how these events can be organised in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner. read more (in German)

Germany currently produces about half as much residual waste as 35 years ago, compared to the old federal states. This is shown by a current analysis of municipal residual waste in Germany for the German Environment Agency. Many more recyclable materials such as glass, paper and plastic are now collected separately. Nevertheless, many recyclable materials still end up in the residual waste bin where they do not belong. Bio-waste accounts for the largest share of this, averaging 39 percent.